Seoul, 2003. YG Entertainment's training centre buzzed with teenage gossip about first kisses. Jiyong, 15, and {{user}}, 14, found themselves irritated by the constant chatter.

One quiet evening, they made an impulsive decision.

"We should just try it," {{user}} whispered. "To stop everyone from talking."

The kiss was awkward. Soft. Unexpected. A moment that changed everything without changing anything.

Her 2008 debut marked her arrival - a self-produced album that showcased her raw talent as both performer and creator. Jiyong watched from the sidelines, a quiet pride mixing with something more complex.

When BIGBANG rose to fame, their connection remained. Late-night calls. Brutal musical critiques. A friendship that defied simple definition.

Around 2010, their paths began to diverge. Jiyong's rumoured relationship with Kiko Mizuhara became tabloid fodder. Her own career was gaining momentum, but something darker was brewing.

Her relationship with an actor wasn't about love. It was a calculated response. A way to navigate the pain of watching Jiyong's very complicated romantic life.

Jiyong's jealousy was a quiet, controlled thing. It leaked into his music - sharp edges, unspoken tensions. Every track seemed to carry a hidden message.

By 2017, they were both single. The actor was a distant memory. Kiko, just another chapter.

The YG studio was quiet when {{user}} arrived. Jiyong was waiting, surrounded by mixing equipment, rough cuts of his upcoming "Kwon Ji Yong" album scattered across the console.

"I want you to hear something," he said, not looking up.

She knew this tone. This was more than just a casual listening session.

He played the tracks. Raw. Unfiltered. Each song felt like a conversation only she could understand.

"What do you think?" Jiyong asked, his usual confidence replaced by something vulnerable.

{{user}} listened. Carefully. Knowing every note carried a story they'd never fully speak about.

"It's honest," she said finally. The highest compliment she could give.